Peach tree named ‘Supechsiteen’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct peach tree variety,  Prunus persica,  cv. ‘Supechsixteen’ is characterized by low chilling requirement (about 200 hours at or below 7.2° C.), early harvest (May 8 near Wasco, Kern County, Calif.), approximately 90-100% red over-color, bright yellow background color and flesh color, excellent eating quality with crisp-juicy non-melting texture and relatively high soluble solids (13% brix) for an early-season peach.

Latin name of the genus and species claimed: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘Supechsixteen’.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of a newand distinct variety of peach, Prunus persica cv. ‘Supechsixteen’. Thenew variety was first hybridized, selected, and evaluated as breedernumber ‘PE216’ by Terry Bacon on Sun World Experimental Ranch 540 nearMecca, Calif. in Riverside County. The variety originated byhybridization.

The new variety is characterized by a low chilling requirement (about200 hours at or below 7.2° C.), early harvest (May 8 near Wasco, KernCounty, Calif.), approximately 90-100% red over-color, bright yellowbackground color and flesh color, excellent eating quality withcrisp-juicy non-melting texture and relatively high soluble solids (13%brix) for an early-season peach.

The seed parent is ‘94003-024-230’, an unpatented Sun World breedingselection, and the pollen parent is an unknown Sun World breedingselection. The new variety was produced as a result of open pollinationin 2001. The date of planting of the new variety was January 2002, andthe date of first flowering was February 2003. The new peach variety wasfirst asexually propagated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Kern County,Calif. in 2004 by budding onto ‘Nemared’ (unpatented) rootstock.

The new variety is distinguished from its seed parent, ‘94003-024-230’,in that it ripens 3 days later than the seed parent and hasapproximately 90-100% red over-color and bright yellow background color,while the seed parent has only approximately 50% over-color and a greenbackground color.

The new variety most closely resembles the commercial low chill peach‘Supechfifteen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,177), but may be distinguishedfrom ‘Supechfifteen’ in that the new variety ripens 3 days later, hasapproximately 90-100% red over-color, non-melting flesh, and 13% solublesolids (brix), while ‘Supechfifteen’ has approximately 60% redover-color, melting flesh, and 12% brix.

The new variety has been shown to maintain its distinguishingcharacteristics through successive asexual propagations by, for example,budding onto ‘Nemared’ rootstock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided across its suture planeto show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in acolor representation of this type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color, as used in common speech is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to 3 year old‘Supechsixteen’ plants on Nemared rootstock, grown in the vicinity ofWasco, Kern County, Calif., during 2007 and is believed to apply toplants of the variety grown under similar conditions of soil and climateelsewhere.

TREE

-   General: (Measurements taken on 3 year old trees grown in the Sun    World Breeding Program germplasm block near Wasco, Calif. unless    otherwise noted.)    -   -   Size.—Medium. Normal for most peach varieties. Reaches a            height of approximately 3.2 meters including normal pruning.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous; growth of approximately 1.8 to 2 meters in            height during the first growing season.        -   Growth.—Upright-spreading.        -   Productivity.—Productive. Fruit set is usually two or more            times desired amount for marketable size fruit. Thinning and            spacing of fruit is necessary.        -   Form.—Vase formed.        -   Bearer.—Regular. No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.        -   Canopy density.—Dense. Pruning is required to open tree vase            shape, allowing more sunlight to center of tree.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all fruit growing areas of California.            Winter chilling requirement is approximately 200 hours at or            below approximately 7.2° C.        -   Disease resistance/susceptibility.—No specific testing for            relative plant disease resistance/susceptibility has been            designed. Under close observation in the area described in            Description of Variety, no particular plant/fruit disease            resistance/susceptibility has been observed.-   Trunk: (Measurements at approximately 30 cm above soil line).    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 22 cm, varies with soil type,            fertility, climatic conditions and cultural practices.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, increases with age of tree.        -   Trunk color.—About Light Greyed-green 198D to Dark            Greyed-red 178A, becomes darker with age.-   Branches: (Measurements at approximately 90 cm above soil line).    -   -   Size.—Diameter ranged from approximately 8 to approximately            10 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth on first year wood, increasing roughness            with tree age.        -   Color.—Branches vary from about Dark Greyed-orange 166A to            Light Greyed-green 198D.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous. Color: About Light Greyed-orange 164C.            Length: Approximately 2 mm. Width: Approximately 0.5 mm.-   Flowering shoots: (Data taken in July at midpoint of current-season    growth).    -   -   Size.—Average diameter approximately 5 mm.        -   Color.—Topside: About Dark Red-purple 59A. Underside: About            Medium Yellow-green 146D.        -   Flowering shoot lenticels.—None Observed.        -   Flowering shoot leaf buds.—Shape: Elliptic. Width:            Approximately 1.5 mm. Length: Approximately 4 mm. Color:            About Light Greyed-green 196A.        -   Flowering shoot flower buds.—Shape: Obovate. Width:            Approximately 2 mm. Length: Approximately 4 mm. Color: About            Medium Grey 201B. Number per node: Usually 2.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaves: (Data taken in July on fully expanded leaf at midpoint of    current-season growth.)    -   -   Size.—Average length: Approximately 165 mm. Average width:            Approximately 32 mm.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Color.—Upper surface: About Medium Green 137C. Lower            surface: About Medium Yellow-green 146C.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Tip.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acuminate.        -   Margin.—Finely crenate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.-   Petiole:    -   -   Average length.—Approximately 10 mm.        -   Average diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—About Light Yellow-green 147C.-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Number.—None observed.-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Form.—Globose.        -   Number.—Varies from 2 to 4.        -   Position.—Alternate on upper portion of petiole and base of            leaf blade.        -   Average size.—Approximately 1 mm by approximately 1 mm.        -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-red 178A.

FLOWERS: (FULLY OPENED)

-   General:-   Flower blooming period:    -   -   First bloom.—Approximately Feb. 10, 2007.        -   Full bloom.—Approximately Feb. 15, 2007.-   Type: Non-showy.-   Size:    -   -   Average diameter.—Approximately 24-30 mm.        -   Flower aroma.—Very slight.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 3 mm to approximately 4 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—About Medium Yellow-green 146C.-   Petals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Arrangement.—Free.        -   Length.—Approximately 13 mm to approximately 15 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 8 mm to approximately 11 mm.        -   Shape.—Broadly ovate.        -   Apex shape.—Rounded.        -   Base shape.—Narrows at point of attachment.        -   Color.—About Medium Red-purple 63A when newly opened,            darkening with advanced senescence.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Margins.—Smooth.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Length.—Approximately 5 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4 mm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Color.—About Dark Greyed-red 178A.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—Ranges from approximately 30 to approximately 40,            average 38.        -   Average length.—Approximately 13 mm.        -   Filament color.—About Light Red-purple 62D.        -   Anther color.—About Medium Greyed-red 179A.        -   Flower pollen color.—About Medium Yellow-orange 17B.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually one, occasionally two.        -   Average length.—Approximately 16 mm to approximately 19 mm.        -   Ovary diameter.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Slight.        -   Stigma extension in comparison to anthers.—Slightly above            anthers.

FRUIT

-   General: (Data taken at firm-ripe on mature tree managed to obtain    maximum quality under conditions stated in Description of Variety.)    -   -   Harvest.—Date of first pick: Approximately May 5, 2007. Date            of last pick: Approximately May 14, 2007.-   Size:    -   -   Length (stem end to apex).—Approximately 66 mm.        -   Diameter in line with suture plane.—Approximately 68 mm.        -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Approximately 69 mm.        -   Average weight.—Approximately 165 gm.-   Form:    -   -   Viewed from apex.—Round, nearly symmetrical.        -   Viewed from side, facing suture.—Round, nearly symmetrical.        -   Viewed from side, perpendicular to suture.—Round, nearly            symmetrical.-   Apex shape: Flat.-   Fruit stem-end cavity depth: Deep.-   Fruit stem:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 8 mm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.5 mm.        -   Color.—About Green 164B.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Adherence to flesh.—Tenacious.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Short and slight.        -   Bloom.—None.        -   Ground color.—About Yellow 11A with slight green background            when mature.        -   Overcolor.—About Red 45D to 59C when mature, covering            approximately 90-100% of fruit surface.        -   Taste.—Neutral.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, fine.        -   Fibers.—Few, short.        -   Flavor.—Sweet-mild.        -   Brix.—Approximately 13%.        -   Juice.—Moderate.        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Color.—About Yellow 17C, sometimes slight Green 145B near            stone.-   Fruit use: Dessert. Market, local and long distance.-   Fruit shipping and keeping quality: Good, holds well in cold storage    for approximately 4 weeks and maintains good firmness and eating    quality, minimal bruising and scarring in packing and shipping    trials.-   Stone: (Measurements taken on dried stones.)    -   -   Stone freeness.—Clingstone.        -   Stone size.—Length: Approximately 40 mm. Diameter in line            with suture plane: Approximately 30 mm. Diameter            perpendicular to suture plane: Approximately 20 mm.        -   Stone form.—Viewed from side: Elliptical oblong, nearly            symmetrical. Viewed from stem end: Oval, nearly symmetrical.        -   Stone shape.—Base shape: Rounded and retuse at stem            attachment. Apex shape: Rounded with a small, sharp point.        -   Stone surface.—Heavily ridged throughout.        -   Stone halves.—Nearly equal.        -   Stone ridges.—About 1 on each side of the suture,            pronounced, beginning at the base and extending throughout            the length of the stone.        -   Stone outgrowing keel.—Partially developed.        -   Stone tendency to split.—Slight.        -   Stone color.—About Light Greyed-orange 164C to 164D when            dried.

1. A new and distinct peach tree as herein described and illustrated.